Good News From Dragon Boats: July 12 to 15, 2012

In keeping with their “bigger than life” event, the International Dragon Boat for the Cure recently announced lots of big news for this fundraising organization.

“Most press conferences are held to announce one, maybe two pieces of news,” says Gerry Orum, Dragon Boat Organizer. “We decided to go big and announce all of our great news all at once!”

Certainly the biggest news is the new Presenting Sponsor for the 2012 International Dragon Boat for the Cure – Shoppers Drug Mart.

 “We have been a long-time supporter of the event and their wonderful efforts,” said Richard Morel and Terry Barris, District Managers for Shoppers Drug Mart. “This year our individual community pharmacist owners and our organization decided it was time to step up and become even more involved in the great work that is done by Dragon Boat for the Cure and all the teams that participate.”

The 10^th Annual International Dragon Boat for the Cure will be held from July 12th - 15th, 2012 at Waterfront Park in Tecumseh at the foot of Manning Road on Riverside Drive. “In 2011, there were more than 100 teams participating,” says Orum. “Registration is well underway, and we hope to see even more teams this year.”

 The group – now officially known as Dragonview Gardens Cancer Support & Resource Program after completing a lengthy process to become an official registered charity – has donated $1.9 million to area hospitals to date, and has seen waiting times for treatment go from nearly six months to just seven days.

 “We are very excited to be celebrating our tenth anniversary this year,” explains Beth Noakes, Executive Director/Founder.  “We’re also launching a newly re-designed logo for the event – created by HCA Mindbox Creative Communications. There is a new “dragon” ribbon, and our new website goes ‘live’ this week – created by Blue Apple.” (www.internationaldragonboatsfestival.com)

Six hospitals in the region benefit from funds raised, some of which has helped to pay for three MRI units at Windsor Regional Hospital and at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital, and a Fluoroscopy Unit for Windsor Regional. But, Orum and Noakes both emphasize that the real work is done by the teams that come out every year to participate. “

Organizing is the easy part,” they say with a smile. “The real work is getting out there and paddling, and all the practice and fundraising the teams do…none of this would happen without them.”

 All the money stays in the local area, which is one of the reasons that Shoppers Drug Mart was pleased to be affiliated with Dragon Boats.

“We are proud of the local relationships we build every day in this community,” said Morel and Barris. “Our customers trust us to look after them and their families and this is just one way that we can repay that trust.”

by Richard Rosenthal

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Diamond Jubilee Celebrated at Homestead in June

For the month of June, a special exhibit at the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area examines our local royal connections and celebrates the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  Princely visits to Windsor, local people and organizations with royal honours, and how we mark royal occasions are some of the subjects included. 

Queen Victoria was the monarch when John & Amelia Park lived at the Homestead.  Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 was a major world event.  Now her great granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II has reached the same 60 year milestone.  “There won’t be another Diamond Jubilee in our lifetime,” Curator Janet Cobban says.  “The Queen has a remarkable record of service.”

On Sunday, June 3 the Community 1 Girl Guides will hold a Diamond Jubilee rally at the Homestead. “Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret were Guides in their youth,”  Cobban explains.    On Sunday, June 10 the Homestead’s annual Parade of Horse Breeds takes the theme “All the Queen’s Horses”.   The royal exhibit , supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage, continues until June  28.

The Homestead is located at 915 County Road 50, at the corner of Iler Road on the lakeshore. For more detailed information on the Homestead’s events, please visit: www.erca.org/events. To make a booking call: (519) 738-2029, or email jrph@erca.org.

by Richard Rosenthal

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May 25, 2012 Seniors Invited to Talent Competition

Local Seniors Invited to Audition for National Talent Competition

Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT is excited to announce that local auditions will be held in May for Senior Star, Canada’s largest talent competition dedicated to seniors.  Now in its 6^th year, this singing and musical instrument competition is open to anyone who is 65 years and over and a Canadian resident. 

Oak Park LaSalle is proud to be hosting a regional audition on Friday May 25, 2012 at 3955 Thirteenth Street, LaSalle, Ontario.  Registration forms can be obtained at Oak Park LaSalle- (519) 968-2000, Oak Park Terrace- (519) 972-3330, Devonshire Seniors Residence- (519) 252-2273.  Contestants do not have to be living in a Chartwell residence.

"Chartwell’s Senior Star has grown to become the largest celebration of senior talent in Canada,” announced Brent Binions, President and CEO of Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT.  “We are proud to support the incredible talent of today’s seniors and continue to be amazed and entertained year after year by the caliber of performers who participate.”

During the Regional Competitions, contestants are given a maximum of five minutes to sing a song, play an instrument, or do both, and their performance is videotaped. Musical accompaniment is provided to singing contestants, if required. A panel of three judges, made up of local musical experts, government officials, and media representatives choose the top three local contestants, each of whom will be recognized with a Senior Star trophy.

Videos of the first and second place winners from across Canada are then submitted to a celebrity panel of judges who will narrow the list to nine competitors invited to compete in the Senior Star National Final. The National Final will be held in November 2012 in Niagara Falls, Ontario at the Scotiabank Theatre.

Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT owns and operates a complete range of seniors housing communities from independent supportive living through assisted living to long term care.

For more information, please contact: Oak Park LaSalle- (519) 968-2000, Oak Park Terrace- (519) 972-3330, Devonshire Seniors Residence- (519) 252-2273

by Richard Rosenthal

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Head On Out to the Rock N Rodeo May 18 to 20, 2012

The Country 95.9 ROCK N RODEO’ takes place this Victoria Day Weekend, May 18^th to 20^th at the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village on the Arner Town Line in the heart of Essex County. 

There will be many exciting features this year that will make this an event you won’t want to miss!  Throughout the weekend rodeo organizers are raising awareness and funding for two very important local charities, the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village and the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association.  

The Town of Essex has recognized the significant economic, social and environmental impact this will have on our community and has designated this as an “Event of Municipal Significance”.

The Rock N Rodeo is proud to be the first stop of the ’2012 NEW HOLLAND PRO-RODEO SERIES’ produced by A BAR K Rodeo Productions.  This is the ONLY rodeo in Essex County that is approved and co-sanctioned by the IPRA (International Professional Rodeo Association) and the ORA (Ontario Rodeo Association). 

Live country music  will be featured each night, including one of Canada’s hottest country artists, ‘Dean Brody’!  Watch and meet the ‘Canadian Cowgirls Precision Drill Team’ and Daniel Fathers, host of ‘Canada’s Greatest Know It All’, ‘Heartland’ (Stewart Forest), ‘Camp Rock’ (Brown Cessario) and competitive bull rider.  Witness the speed of some of the fastest horses in North America as they compete in the co-sanctioned OBRA and NBHA Barrel Racing events all weekend. 

 The kids will love the pony rides, petting zoo, face painting and the Carter Carnival Mini-Midway.  Take a ride in the RE/MAX hot air balloon or tour Heritage Village on a horse drawn wagon.  Check out the pick-up truck and tractor displays featuring models from the past and present and be sure to take a tour inside the Canadian Transportation Museum.  Climb on the mechanical bull, learn some line dancing, watch the Bull & Barrel Rock N Rodeo Queen Contest or visit friends in the beer tent! Shop in the Vendor Village, featuring local shops, eats and more!

For the latest updates on ticket information, schedule of events and more and visit website www.rocknrodeo.ca.  See Y’all at the Rodeo!

by Richard Rosenthal

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Nominate A Local Youth by April 30, 11:59 pm!

Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee Announces
2012 Youth Leadership Awards

 The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC) is pleased to announce the 2012 Youth Leadership Awards for the City of Windsor. The purpose of the awards is to recognize youth who are making a difference in Windsor.

 Three Windsor youth will be recognized publicly by Mayor Eddie Francis at the 2012 Mayor’s Walk and City Birthday Celebration on Monday May 21, 2012.

 The awards focus on Community Involvement, Volunteerism and Civic Engagement. To be considered for the awards, youth may nominate themselves or be nominated by a member of the community via a nomination form located at www.windsoryouth.com, or may pick a hard copy at local area high schools & community organizations. All candidates must be between the ages of 15 – 24. All candidates are also asked to submit a one minute video speaking to the importance of civic engagement in Windsor.

 The deadline for all nomination forms and video submissions is April 30th 2012 at 11:59pm.

 The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee is a group of young people that seek to connect with youth in Windsor-Essex and listen to the issues that matter to them the most.

MYAC engages youth in conversation and propel them towards activism, advocating on their behalf to City Council. They represent youth and build relationships in the community to better serve them.

For more information regarding the Youth Leadership Awards, please contact the MYAC Chairpersons:  Jonathon Liedtke & Sarah Davidson
519.819.5725           519.995.7098
myacwindsor@gmail.com

 

by Richard Rosenthal

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APRIL 27, 2012--Deadline For Harold Hewitt Scholarship

2012 Harold Hewitt Scholarship – CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) is excited to announce that submissions are being accepted for the 2012 Harold Hewitt Scholarship.  The Harold Hewitt Scholarship (HHS) was established in 2001 as a yearly contribution to the post-secondary education of youth in our community.  Since 2001, a total of $57,350 has been presented under the HHS. WFCU is proud to continue the tradition by presenting a total of $5,000 to 16 youth through the HHS program this year.

Children enrolled in JK to Grade 12, are invited to tell us, in no more than 250 words, “What change would make your community more appealing to people your age? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion”.

Select submissions from each age category (noted below) will be chosen and the authors will be named recipients of WFCU’s 2012 Harold Hewitt Scholarship.  

 Recipients from each age category will receive:

JK - Grade 2	3 @ $100 each
Grade 3 - Grade 5	3 @ $200 each
Grade 6 - Grade 8	3 @ $300 each
Grade 9 - Grade 10	3 @ $400 each
Grade 11 – Grade 12	4 @ $500 each

This special scholarship was inspired by the late Harold Hewitt, WFCU’s long term Director on the Board whose dedication to the community was an integral part of the Credit Union. 

Harold Hewitt Scholarship submission forms are available to DOWNLOAD by clicking on the link below:

Harold Hewitt Scholarship - Call for Submission Form

Deadline for submissions to be received by WFCU is Friday, April 27, 2012 no later than 5:00 p.m.  Details as to delivery methods are available on the WFCU Website – www.wfcu.ca.

For more information please contact: Susan Stockwell Andrews, Vice President, External Affairs and Corporate Secretary, 519-974-3100

by Richard Rosenthal

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UNITED WAY REACHES GOAL --YAHOOOOOOOOO!

United Way is pleased to announce that it has officially reached its 2011 Campaign Goal.

In 2011, United Way set a fundraising goal of $5 million to support its three strategic investment priorities: Supporting Basic Needs and Independence, Positioning Kids and Families for Success, and Creating Thriving Neighbourhoods.

“The residents of Windsor and Essex County are tremendously supportive of United Way and their community,” states Penny Marrett, CEO, United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County. “This incredible support ensures that United Way’s investment priorities will continue to make a positive impact on our community.”

United Way funds 25 strategies across Windsor-Essex, which are supported by 79 organizations. Over the course of a nine month period, over 233,000 people were supported by strategies funded by United Way. Of the 233,000 people who were supported, 32% were residents of the County of Essex.

“Individuals, corporations and labour work together – year after year – to support United Way,” says Margaret Corio, Chair of the 2011 Campaign Cabinet and Regional Vice-President, RBC Royal Bank. “Because of this, United Way will continue to support hundreds of thousands of individuals each year – right here at home. We are so thankful to all those who have shown their support. We couldn’t do it without them.”

by Richard Rosenthal

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